Managing Electronic Waste in a Circular Economy: Generation, Recycling, and Resource Recovery

This book offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary examination of the growing challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) and the technological, environmental, and policy responses needed for sustainable management. It addresses the entire life cycle of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and brings together global perspectives on e-waste generation, material composition, environmental and human health impacts, and innovative recycling and resource recovery strategies. The chapters explore modern approaches to e-waste recycling, including mechanical, chemical, and biological methods for recovering metals and materials, with a particular focus on critical and strategic metals. The book places these technologies within broader discussions on circular economy models, green computing, environmental regulations, and extended producer responsibility. It highlights heavy metal contamination, toxic emissions from informal recycling practices, and the harmful effects of inadequate waste management systems on ecosystems and vulnerable communities. Managing Electronic Waste in a Circular Economy: Generation, Recycling, and Resource Recovery explores the intersection of technological advancements with regulatory, environmental, and sustainability frameworks. The book is a valuable resource for understanding electronic waste as both a risk and a resource for researchers, postgraduate students, environmental scientists, engineers, policy analysts, and industry professionals in waste management, environmental biotechnology, sustainability studies, and resource recovery.